Obituary

Charles Walter Wagner lll

Chippewa Township

Charles Walter Wagner lll, 69, of Chippewa Twp., passed away peacefully September 23, 2022, with his loving family by his side. 

Chuck was born and lived in Beaver, PA, graduating from Beaver High School in 1971. He was the son of Charles W. Wagner Jr. and Ellen Perrott Wagner of Beaver. He leaves a sister, Tommi, cousins Mark, Sara, Nan, Katie, and Andy, and many friends. 

He attended Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, and the University of Colorado in Boulder, graduating in 1976. 

After college, he joined his father as a partner in Wagner Chrysler Plymouth of Rochester, PA, founded by his grandfather in 1915. He worked there until his father’s retirement in 1981. 

Chuck then moved to Colorado and enjoyed a professional career of over 25 years with Keystone Ski Resort in Summit County, where he was a PSIA Fully Certified Ski Instructor at the Keystone Ski School, working as Coach and Lead Supervisor. In that role, he hired and trained coaches, managed lessons, and had an active role in marketing the ski school. He quicky gained the reputation as the pro’s pro.

Chuck put his heart and soul into the Keystone Ski School and was then named Director of the Mahre Training Center, founded by Olympic medalists and World Cup winners, Steve and Phil Mahre. This was the highest honor an instructor at Keystone could attain. He held this role for 18 years, managing the program for all US and global participants. Chuck also was the long term professional representative and retail liaison for Atomic Skis.

Chuck’s friends and colleagues had a great appreciation and admiration for him. He was always approachable, with an unflappable manner and a caring spirit. Titles never mattered to him; the people did. A tall, lanky guy with terrific athletic abilities, Chuck was one of those people who could do almost any sport—and do it well. 

He believed that the real deal was within oneself. While quietly striving to become better, Chuck visualized what he was going to do, then focused and did it. He was a terrific guitar player and loved spending time playing music and performing. He was a strenuous competitor on the basketball court with his friends. 

One of his favorite expressions was “OK.” Then a breath. Then “Here we go.” The phrase was always calm and understated. He’d use it to end meetings, work through tough situations or just before dropping into a steep ski run. It would show up as a message when coaching his treasured basketball teams before the kids went onto the court. And later he spoke them as he went into the chemo sessions. “Okay . . . “a breath. “Here we go.”

Chuck was dearly loved, and will be missed immensely by his family and many friends. 

A private memorial service was held initially with his immediate family at the Beaver Cemetery, Beaver Pa. A Celebration of Chuck’s Life is planned for a future date.

Memorial gifts may be made in his name to: The Beaver Memorial Library, The Beaver Area Heritage Foundation, Beaver County Humane Society, or Animal Friends, Pittsburgh https://www.thinkingoutsidethecage.org/